Leafs Prospect Alex Steeves Cracks Wise About Game Puck After First Career NHL Goal
Photo credit: David Kirouac - USA Today Sports
After scoring his first career NHL goal, Maple Leafs forward Alex Steeves gives hilarious response as to what he is going to do with the keepsake puck.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Pacioretty had been dealing with an undisclosed injury earlier in the week, which paved the way for Alex Steeves to receive another NHL call-up from the Toronto Marlies.
Steeves had been tearing it up in the AHL at the time of his recall, leading the circuit in goals with 29 tallies in just 40 games. The 25-year-old has put up 200 points in 228 games across the last 4 seasons in the American Hockey League.
As for success at the NHL level, he had yet to experience any with just 11 games under his belt across the last 4 years. He had recorded just 1 assist, which came during the 2021-22 season, but he never gave up and finally came through in the clutch for the Maple Leafs last night.
In their first game since the 4 Nations Face-Off, Steeves scored the game's opening goal for his first career NHL tally. It was the first of 4 goals the Leafs would score in the first period before they held on for a nervy 6-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.
Despite the ups and downs at the NHL level, Steeves always remained confident and knew he could translate his success from the AHL to the big leagues.
"It felt really good. A bit of relief, honestly. I am a goal scorer and I know that and I know I can be a goal scorer at this level"
As is the custom when you score your first goal, you get to keep the puck as a piece of memorabillia. When asked what he was going to do with the puck, Steeves wasn't sure, joking that he still lives with his parents (which he does, over the summer).
"I don't really know. I'm not really one to display all that stuff. I don't even have a house. I live in my parents' house in the basement in the summers. I'm sure my mom maybe will have a little shrine in my room or something. Right now it's just going to go in a cupboard until the season's over."
It was a great game altogether for Steeves, who will more than likely feature once again in tonight's contest against Chicago. He formed the fourth line alongside David Kampf and Steven Lorentz as they combined for 2 goals and 4 points on the night.
Secondary scoring has been hard to come by for the Leafs this season, so perhaps Steeves can help with that while Pacioretty remains on the mend.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 23 | 2360 ANSWERS Leafs Prospect Alex Steeves Cracks Wise About Game Puck After First Career NHL Goal Should Alex Steeves be given a longer run at the NHL level, even when Max Pacioretty returns? | ||
| Yes, we need his offensive boost for the bottom-6 | 2029 | 86 % |
| Not sure he will get the playing time right now | 240 | 10.2 % |
| No, we have enough options as is | 91 | 3.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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